SECTION: Plasticity and Functional Recovery of the brain after trauma
TOPIC: Biopsychology
KEY IDEAS (K/U)
1. Plasticity = the brains ability to adapt as a result of experience and new learning, involves the change of structure with
new connections.
- Functional Plasticity – brains ability to move function from a damaged area of the brain to other undamaged area
- Structural Plasticity – brains ability to actually change its physical structure as a result of learning
Synaptic Pruning = Repeated (frequent) experiences strengthen neuron connections; unpractised (rare) experiences
weaken connections and can eventually be eliminated.
Brain plasticity is most active at a young age. By the age of three there are 15,000 synapses per neuron, meaning a
massive number of connections, by adult life this number halves (fewer new experiences) but structural changes can still
occur through a whole lifetime.
Research – Maguire et al, London Taxi Drivers
(2000) Study of London taxi drivers investigated whether or not the hippocampus plays a role in human spatial memory.
London taxi drivers must pass a complex test testing their recall of streets and routes, Maguire found this learning
experience had changed the structure of their brain. Drivers ranged in age and experience and a matched pair design was
used with a control group. The taxi drivers’ brains were analysed under MRI scans, results showed they had a significantly
large volume of grey matter in both hippocampi than the control group. The hippocampus is associated with navigation
and spatial skills. Showing a positive correlation between experience and brain adaptation.
PEEL WEAKENESS PEEL STRENGTH
Negative Plasticity – plasticity can have negative Practical Application – understanding of this process has
consequences on behaviour. Bad habits can form easily given scientists methods to improve brain plasticity.
with frequency of behaviour, cases of OCD can form this Learning skills – enriching the environment, resting and
way and also studies show with the growth of technology challenging opportunities can create stronger connections
attention spans are weakening due to the speed of access Recovery – repeating movement or activity in a damaged
to information – degrading skills. area can create new pathways and stronger connections,
Some parts of the brain may adapt in the wrong way .i.e. speeding up recovery.
phantom limb syndrome occurs in many amputees of Bad Habits – understanding how they could form, helps
which the somatosensory cortex reorganises itself avoid causation and mindfulness of behaviour.
causing unpleasant sensations and pain .
KEY IDEAS (K/U)
1. Functional Recovery – a form of plasticity following trauma, of which healthy brain areas can compensate for
damaged areas. It can occur quickly after and then slows down overtime.
- Axonal Sprouting = new nerve endings grow to connect with undamaged cells, forming new pathways.
- Denervation supersensitivity = axons with similar functions to the previous will activate at a higher level to
compensate loss
- Recruitment of similar areas = the opposite side of the brain can be used for the same function, over time it may
shift back
TOPIC: Biopsychology
KEY IDEAS (K/U)
1. Plasticity = the brains ability to adapt as a result of experience and new learning, involves the change of structure with
new connections.
- Functional Plasticity – brains ability to move function from a damaged area of the brain to other undamaged area
- Structural Plasticity – brains ability to actually change its physical structure as a result of learning
Synaptic Pruning = Repeated (frequent) experiences strengthen neuron connections; unpractised (rare) experiences
weaken connections and can eventually be eliminated.
Brain plasticity is most active at a young age. By the age of three there are 15,000 synapses per neuron, meaning a
massive number of connections, by adult life this number halves (fewer new experiences) but structural changes can still
occur through a whole lifetime.
Research – Maguire et al, London Taxi Drivers
(2000) Study of London taxi drivers investigated whether or not the hippocampus plays a role in human spatial memory.
London taxi drivers must pass a complex test testing their recall of streets and routes, Maguire found this learning
experience had changed the structure of their brain. Drivers ranged in age and experience and a matched pair design was
used with a control group. The taxi drivers’ brains were analysed under MRI scans, results showed they had a significantly
large volume of grey matter in both hippocampi than the control group. The hippocampus is associated with navigation
and spatial skills. Showing a positive correlation between experience and brain adaptation.
PEEL WEAKENESS PEEL STRENGTH
Negative Plasticity – plasticity can have negative Practical Application – understanding of this process has
consequences on behaviour. Bad habits can form easily given scientists methods to improve brain plasticity.
with frequency of behaviour, cases of OCD can form this Learning skills – enriching the environment, resting and
way and also studies show with the growth of technology challenging opportunities can create stronger connections
attention spans are weakening due to the speed of access Recovery – repeating movement or activity in a damaged
to information – degrading skills. area can create new pathways and stronger connections,
Some parts of the brain may adapt in the wrong way .i.e. speeding up recovery.
phantom limb syndrome occurs in many amputees of Bad Habits – understanding how they could form, helps
which the somatosensory cortex reorganises itself avoid causation and mindfulness of behaviour.
causing unpleasant sensations and pain .
KEY IDEAS (K/U)
1. Functional Recovery – a form of plasticity following trauma, of which healthy brain areas can compensate for
damaged areas. It can occur quickly after and then slows down overtime.
- Axonal Sprouting = new nerve endings grow to connect with undamaged cells, forming new pathways.
- Denervation supersensitivity = axons with similar functions to the previous will activate at a higher level to
compensate loss
- Recruitment of similar areas = the opposite side of the brain can be used for the same function, over time it may
shift back
